Hearing loss is more common than most people think.
One in eight people in the United States ages 12 years or older – approx. 30 million people – have a hearing loss in both ears.
About 2 percent of adults ages 45 to 54 have a disabling hearing loss. These numbers can be alarming, but there are systems in place to combat this.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently announced a legislature that supports critical audiology for Medicare beneficiaries.
This is a big step in the right direction because untreated hearing loss can lead to social isolation, balancing issues, and even depression.
Preventing hearing loss can be achieved when identified in a timely manner, and appropriate care is sought.
Most Common First Signs
Hearing loss can progress gradually and sometimes without pain.
More than likely, you or a loved one is already experiencing a hearing loss and making unconscious adjustments to account for it. Common signs include:
- Difficulty understanding words against a background of noise
- Muffled speech
- Increasing the TV’s volume
- Asking others to repeat themselves frequently
- Avoiding certain places
- Sudden difficulties at work or school
- In extreme cases, hearing ringing noises
Hearing loss is sometimes the first symptom of more serious health issues as well. Severe hearing loss can incite frustration, anxiety, or even Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Physical problems, such as loss of balance, can also arise.Â
Please Do Not Ignore
Seeing these signs can lead to another indication of hearing loss – denial.
Denial can be very detrimental to a patient’s health, as untreated health issues compound very easily.
It is important to educate yourself as well. Look for common signs and utilize our website as a resource to answer all of your questions.
This type of condition goes untreated for preventable reasons.
There are a lot of people who avoid a test simply because they don’t want to know the truth or because they are worried about the appearance of a hearing aid.
Take care to monitor your hearing as well as those of loved ones.
This may be hard to admit for some, but if you take the time to explain how easy it is to get tested and the consequences of not getting tested, then they may change their behavior.
What Can You Do?
Lead by example. Be the first among your friends and family to get a hearing assessment done.
Over time, our hearing changes.
One year you could receive a screening and show no signs of loss, but the next year your screening could show a loss.
By providing us with a benchmark on which to measure your hearing, we can more easily evaluate and treat your specific hearing issue.
Find out the status of your hearing at Beltone Hearing to prevent any further loss.
We offer the first screening complimentary to everyone throughout Michigan and Ohio.
